House Minority Leader Resigns

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, the top Republican in the Colorado House of Representatives, resigned from the legislature on Monday.

In a letter to friends and supporters, Pugliese, a single mother, said she wants to be more present for her two children. She also cited the overlapping tragedies of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the shooting in Evergreen.

The decision comes weeks after Pugliese publicly clashed with Majority Leader Monica Duran while debating a resolution to condemn former Rep. Ryan Armagost.

A vacancy committee will be convened in House District 14 to select Pugliese’s replacement. House Republicans will meet as soon as this week to elect a new leader.

High School ‘Assassin’ Game Causes Concern

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about the risks of a nationally popular high school tradition linked to two “alarming” incidents in Highlands Ranch.

The game, known as “Senior Assassin,” involves high school seniors trying to squirt one another with water guns. It’s led to safety concerns and law enforcement warnings in the past.

This month, the sheriff’s office received two reports related to the game, including one of someone pointing a gun out of a car. Performing a high-risk stop, police found teenagers with water guns that looked like real handguns.

Because the toy guns can look real, the game could lead to “tragic” outcomes, the agency said. It urged students to “think about the risks” and find safer ways to celebrate senior year.

Four Restaurants Earn Michelin Stars

A Denver restaurant became the first two-starred Michelin restaurant in Colorado when the Michelin Guide announced its 2025 awards on Monday.

The Wolf’s Tailor earned its first star in 2023. According to the Guide, it serves contemporary international cuisine blending “creativity, attention to detail, and charm.”

Additionally, the Guide awarded three Denver restaurants—Kizaki, Margot, and Mezcaleria Alma—with their first stars, bringing the total number of Michelin-starred spots in the state to nine.

See a list of Colorado’s new and existing Michelin awards here.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Evergreen: Jefferson County police announced that Evergreen High School will have a full-time school resource officer when classes resume. The school will remain closed through this week. (More)

➤ Western Slope: State water officials will make a decision this week on a $99 million proposal to acquire Colorado River water rights for environmental use. (See Details)

➤ Loveland: A local family says vandals burned their memorial to activist Charlie Kirk—a sign they’d put up in their yard—and smashed the back window of their SUV. (See Details)

➤ Golden: Officials transferred all juvenile offenders at the Lookout Mountain youth detention facility to other state-run facilities, a move preceded by internal concerns of “basic safety” failures. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Seven Colorado counties will ask voters this November to double or triple the local lodging tax, allowed by a new law, to pay for roads, police, housing, and early childcare. (See Details)

➤ Larimer County: An Aurora man died after falling from a paddleboard in Horsetooth Reservoir on Sunday. (More)

Enjoy reading The Colorado Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Baltimore Ravens wanted to draft former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but he reportedly told them he didn’t want to play there if he wasn’t going to have a chance at immediate playing time. (More)

➤ Former No. 1 pick Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and three RBIs for the Colorado Rockies against the Padres on Sunday. The 27-year-old has broken out this season with career lows in strikeout percentage (24.2%) and career highs in hard hit rate (45.6%). (More)

➤ A heated sideline argument between Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix went viral following the team’s loss to the Colts on Sunday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Cut the cord—and keep every channel! The UltraLink HDTV Antenna delivers crisp, free HD TV—no monthly bills, no subscriptions. With a long-range signal, easy setup, and sleek design, you’ll stream local news, sports, and shows in seconds. Ditch the cable bill and enjoy crystal-clear viewing tonight!  (LEARN MORE)

➤ Westracks, a multi-agency transit initiative aiming to bring shuttle service to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, will begin a pilot test in the late spring of 2026. (See Details)

➤ A grassroots effort to open a new ice rink in Eagle County, spurred by local rinks’ struggle to meet rising demand, is close to reaching its $925,000 fundraising goal. (More)

➤ Neighbors of Denver Zoo are pushing back against the zoo’s plan to reopen a defunct west entrance in City Park, citing traffic concerns. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay ready wherever you go with Air Flow Pro—a compact all-in-one air pump that delivers up to 150 PSI, auto shut-off protection, emergency lighting, and four presets. Inflates car tires, bikes, sports gear in minutes—no outlet, no worries. Get fast inflation with portable power! (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Last chance to join big-name investors on this “unlisted” stock

When the former Zillow exec who sold his first company for $120M starts a new venture, people notice. Thousands of people. In fact, 10,000+ regular investors have already joined the investors behind Uber, eBay, and Venmo as early-stage Pacaso investors. 

Disrupting the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties, revamping the $1.3 trillion vacation home market.

And it works. By handing keys to 2,000+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $110M+ in gross profits in less than five years. They even recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. 

And you can become a Pacaso shareholder, too. Just don’t wait too long. Lock in your stake before the investment opportunity ends Thursday night.

➤ A 13-year-old recovering from a heart transplant at Colorado Children’s Hospital spearheaded a “pickle petition,” collecting 276 signatures to successfully put fried pickles on the hospital’s menu. (Read Story)

➤ RTD Roadeo, an event where the district’s bus drivers navigate an obstacle course to qualify for a national competition, took place over the weekend. (See Video)

➤ Saturday Night Live cast member and Aurora native Bowen Yang broke an Emmys record with his fifth overall nomination on Sunday night. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Meet the Auto Vac Robot Vacuum — cordless, ultra-lightweight, and loaded with smart features. With strong 6000 Pa suction, a slim 2.91-inch build that reaches under beds & tight spaces, and sensors to dodge stairs & walls—this pet-friendly vac keeps your whole home spotless, hands-free! (LEARN MORE)

How do you feel about fried pickles?

1. Love them
2. Pretty good
3. They’re okay
4. Not a fan
5. Never tried one

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you have a treehouse as a kid?

1. No, but I wanted one: 20%
2. No, wasn’t interested: 18%
3. Yes, but it was sketchy: 17%
4. I had a fort/clubhouse: 17%
5. Yes, and it was awesome: 16%
6. Other: 12%

What is the only Colorado county named after a fictional character?

Show me the answer